Heat exchangers having plate-type fins



1968 0. K. RICHARDSON 3,407,876

HEAT EXCHANGERS HAVING PLATE-TYPE FINS Filed Oct. 17. 1966 2Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR= DOUGLAS K. RICHARDSON,

BYWJM ATTORNEY Oct-29, 1968 D. K. RICHARDSON 3,407,876

HEAT EXCHANGERS HAVING PLATE-TYPE FINS Filed Oct. 17, 1966 |NVENTOR=DOUGLAS K.RICHARDSON,

BYWJ P ATTORNIEY 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I United States Patent O 3,407,876HEAT EXCHANGERS HAVING PLATE-TYPE FINS Douglas K. Richardson, Stauntou,Va., assignor to Westinghouse Electric Corporation, Pittsburgh, Pa., acorporation of Pennsylvania Filed ct.-17, 1966, Ser. No. 587,059

10 Claims. (Cl. 165-179) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A heat exchanger hasa plurality of spaced-apart fins having a first set of aligned openings,and having a second set of aligned openings spaced from the first set.Interspersed with the fins are other fins, there being a plurality ofthe first mentioned fins between adjacent ones of the other fins.Alternate ones of the other fins have openings aligned with the openingsof the second set, and extend between adjacent openings of the firstset. The other ones of the other fins have openings aligned with theopenings of the first set, and extend between adjacent openings of thesecond set. Hollow gaskets have aligned inner edges around the openings,and form spacers between the fins, and seals around the openings.

This invention relates to plate-type heat exchangers in which heat istransferred from one fluid to another fluid, and has an object toincrease the heat transfer in such heat exchangers.

A plate-type heat exchanger such as an evaporator coil used as an aircooling coil in a refrigeration system, usually consists of paralleltubes through which refrigerant is circulated, and of closely-spacedparallel, plate-type fins common to such tubes, the expansion of therefrigerant within the tubes absorbing heat from the air passing overthe surfaces of the fins.

This invention eliminates the tubes of such a heat exchanger, andsubstitutes therefor, fin surfaces. In one embodiment of this invention,a plate-type heat exchanger has several spaced-apart sections, eachsection containing gaskets which space adjacent fins apart, and provideseals. Refrigerant is circulated in a number of passes in a zig-zag pathbetween fins in each section, the sections being connected by returnbends at the ends of the heat exchanger.

Among other objects of this invention are to reduce the sizes and costsof plate-type heat exchangers, to reduce the refrigerant charges inrefrigeration systems using such heat exchangers as evaporators andcondensers, to eliminate refrigerant distributors for evaporator coils,and to eliminate the corrosion which occurs in such heat exchangers whendissimilar metals are used.

This invention will now be described with reference to the annexeddrawings, of which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view looking downwardly on FIG. 2;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of a heat exchanger embodying this invention;

FIG. 3 is a plan view looking upwardly at the bottom of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of one of the gaskets used in the heat exchanger;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged section along the lines 5-5 of FIG. 1; and

FIG, 6 is an enlarged section along the lines 66 of FIG. 1.

Flanges 10, 11, 12 and 13 are longitudinally aligned, and are spacedapart equal distances on the top of the heat exchanger. Similar flanges14, 15, 16 and 17 are on the bottom of the heat exchanger opposite andaligned with the flanges 10, 11, 12 and 13 respectively. Aligned, para1-lel, sheet metal fins 20 extend between the flanges -14,

11-15, 12-16 and 13-17, extend within the spaces between the flanges10-14, 11-15, 12-16 and 13-17, and have portions extending outwardlybeyond the outer flanges. Gaskets 21 having central openings, havinginwardly extending end portions 29 with holes 32 therein, and havingouter dimensions the same as the flanges, are aligned with and extendbetween the top flanges 10, 11, 12 and 13 and the top fin 20. Similargaskets 31 are aligned with the bottom flanges 14, 15, 16 and 17, andextend between the latter and the bottom fin 20. Similar gaskets 21 arealigned with the flanges 10-14, 11-15, 12-16 and 13-17, and extendbetween adjacent fins 20.

Rods 30 and 31 having threaded ends, extend through end portions of theflanges 10 and 14, extend through the holes 32 in the gaskets 21 betweenthe flanges 10 and 14, and extend through holes in the fins 20 betweenthe flanges 10 and 14. A similar rod 36 extends midway between the rods30 and 31, through the flanges 10 and 14, and through holes in the fins20 between the flanges 10 and 14. The rods 30, 31 and 36 have nuts 33,34 and 37 respectively, threaded against the flanges 10 and 14sufliciently to compress the gaskets 21 between the latter sufficientlyto provide seals between the flanges 10 and 14 and the fins 20 wherethey are contacted by the gaskets 21 between the flanges 10 and 14.

Similar rods 40 and 41 extend through end portions of the flanges 11 and15, extend through the holes 32 in the gaskets 21 between the flanges 11and 15, and extend through holes in the fins 20 between the flanges 11and 15. A similar rod 44 extends midway between the rods 40 and 41,through the flanges 11 and 15, and through holes in the fins 20 betweenthe flanges 11 and 15. The rods 40, 41 and 44 have nuts 42, 43 and 45respectively, threaded against the flanges 11 and 15 sufliciently tocompress the gaskets 21 between the latter sufiiciently to provide sealsbetween the flanges 11 and 15 and the fins 20 where they are contactedby the gaskets 21 between the flanges 11 and 15.

Similar rods 46 and 47 extend through end portions of the flanges 12 and16, extend through the holes 32 in the gaskets 21 between the flanges 12and 16, and extend through holes in the fins 20 between the flanges 12and 16. A similar rod 50 extends midway between the rods 46 and 47,through the flanges 12 and 16, and through holes in the fins 20 betweenthe flanges 12 and 16 The rods 46, 47 and 50 have nuts 48, 49 and 51respectively, threaded against the flanges 12 and 16 sufliciently tocompress the gaskets 21 between the latter sufliciently to provide sealsbetween the flanges 12 and 16 and the fins 20 where they are contactedby the gaskets 21 between the flanges 12 and 16.

Similar rods 52 and 53 extend through end portions of the flanges 13 and17, extend through holes 32 in the gaskets 21 between the flanges 13 and17, and extend through holes in the fins 20 between the flanges 13 and17. A similar rod 56 extends midway between the rods 52 and 53, throughthe flanges 13 and 17, and through holes in the fins 20 between theflanges 13 and 17. The rods 52, 53 and 56 have nuts 54, and 57respectively, threaded against the flanges 13 and 17 sufficiently tocompress the gaskets between the latter sufliciently to provide seals between the flanges 13 and 17 and the fins: 20 where they are contacted bythe gaskets 21 between the flanges 13 and 17.

FIG. 5 is a section through the heat exchanger at the flanges 13 and 17.A section at the flanges 11 and 15 would be similar to FIG. 5. FIG. 6 isa section through the heat exchanger at the flanges 12 and 16. A sectionat v the flanges 10 and 14 would be similar to FIG. 6.

The flange 13 has a fluid inlet opening extending therethrough intowhich extends fluid inlet tube 60. The flange 17 has a fluid outletopening extending therethrough into which extends one end of return bend61. The flange 16 has a fluid inlet opening extending therethrough intowhich extends the other end of the return bend 61. The flange 12 has anopening extending therethrough into which extends one end of return bend62. The flange 11 has an opening extending therethrough into whichextends the other end of the return bend 62. The flange 15 has anopening extending therethrough into which extends one end of return bend63. The flange 14 has an opening extending therethrough into whichextends the other end of the return bend 63. The flange has a fluid outlet opening extending therethrough into which extends fluid outlet tube64.

Referring now to FIG. 5 of the drawings, all of the fins 20 except,counting from the top, the fourth fin 20A, and the twelfth fin 20B, havealigned openings 66 therein below the bottom of the fluid inlet tube 60.All of the fins 20 except, counting from the bottom, the fourth fin 20C,and the twelfth fin 20D, have aligned openings 67 above the end of thereturn bend 61 where it extends into the flange 17. The fins 20 wherethey extend between the flanges 11 and are similarly constructed. Thefin openings 66 and 67 connect with the interior of the gaskets 21between the flanges 13 and 17.

The fin A which has no opening 66 causes, as shown by the arrows on FIG.5, the fluid from the inlet tube 60 after it has flowed into the finopenings 66 above the fin 20A, to flow to the left (facing FIG. 5) infour passes into the fin openings 67 above the fin 20D, the uppermost ofsuch passes being between the bottom of the flange 13 and the top fin 20between its openings 66 and 67, and the other three passes being betweenadjacent ones of the three top fins 20. The fin 20D which has no opening67 causes, as shown by the arrows on FIG. 5, the fluid which has flowedinto the openings 67, to flow to the right in four passes betweenadjacent fins into the openings 66 in the fins between the fins 20A and20B. The fin 20B which has no opening 66 causes, as shown by the arrowson FIG. 5, the fluid which has flowed into the openings 66 between thefins 20A and 20B, to flow to the left in four passes between adjacentfins into the openings 67 in the fins between the fins 20D and 20C. Thefin 20C which has no opening 67 causes, as shown by the arrows on FIG.5, the fluid which has flowed into the openings 67 between the fin 20Dand 20C, to flow to the right in four passes between adjacent fins intothe openings 66 below the fin 20B, then to flow to the left in fourpasses into the openings below the fin 20C, and then into the returnbend 61. The lowermost of the last mentioned four passes is between thebottom fin 20 and the top of the flange 17, the other three of suchpassages being between adjacent fins. The fluid flow between the flanges11 and 15 would be the same as that between the flanges 13 and 17described in the foregoing.

The fluid flowing into the return bend 61 flows from the latter as shownby FIG. 6 of the drawings. Referring now to FIG. 6, the fins 20 betweenthe flanges 12 and 16, except, counting from the top (facing FIG. 6),the fourth fin 20H, and the twelfth fin 20G, have aligned openings 68below the return bend 62. The fins 20 between the flanges 12 and 16except, counting from the bottom, the fourth fin 20E and the twelfth fin20F, have aligned openings 70 above the return bend 61. The fins wherethey extend between the flanges 10 and 14 are similarly constructed.

The fin 20E which has no opening 70 causes, as shown by the arrows onFIG. 6, the fluid from the return bend 61 after it has flowed into thefin openings 70 below the fin 20E, to flow to the left (facing FIG. 6)in four passes into the fin openings 68 below the fin 20G, the lowermostof such passages being between the top of the flange 16 and the bottomfin 20 between its openings 70 and 68, and the other three passes beingbetween adjacent ones of the three bottom fins 20. The fin 206 which hasno opening 68 causes, as shown by the arrows on FIG. 6,

the fluid which has flowed into the openings 68, to flow to the right infour passes between adjacent fins into the openings 70 in the finsbetween the fins 20B and 20F. The fin 20F which has no opening 70causes, as shown by the arrows on FIG. 6, the fluid which has flowedinto the openings 70 between the fins 20E and 20F, to flow to the leftin four passes between adjacent fins into the openings 68 between thefins 20G and 20H. The fin 20H which has no opening 68 causes, as shownby the arrows on FIG. 6, the fluid which has flowed into the openings 68between the fins 206 and 20H, to flow to the right in four passesbetween adjacent fins into the openings 70 above the fin 20F, then toflow to the left in four passes into the openings 68 above the fin 20H,and then into the return bend 62. The uppermost of the last mentionedfour passes is between the bottoms of the flange 12 and the top 2.0, theother three of such passes being between adjacent fins. The fluid flowbetween the flanges 10 and 14 would be the same as that between theflanges l2 and 16 as described in the foregoing.

The flow through the heat exchanger is seen to be in through the inlettube 60, then in four passes in a Zigzag path between the flanges 13 and17 as shown by FIG. 5, then through the return bend 61, then in fourpasses in a zig-Zag path between the flanges 12 and 16 as shown by FIG.6, then through the return bend 62, then in four passes in a zig-zagpath between the flanges 11 and 15 as shown by FIG. 5, then through thereturn bend 63, then in four passes in a Zig-zag path between theflanges 10 and 14 as shown by FIG. 6, and then into the outlet tube 64.

The multiple passes which could be fewer or more than the four passesshown and described, serve the purpose of the usual distributor which,therefore, is not required.

Since tubes are not used within the heat exchanger, its size, weight andcost are reduced. Soldering or other methods of tightly securing fins totubes for good heat transfer are not required. Dissimilar metals such ascopper in tubes, and aluminum in fins, are not required.

Air would be moved by a fan which is not shown, over the surfaces of thefins. The gasketed sections offer less resistance to air flow than thestaggered tubes of conventional, plate-type heat exchangers.

What is claimed is:

1. A heat exchanger comprising a plurality of aligned, parallel,spaced-apart fins; flanges extending transverse said heat exchangeropposite the end ones of said fins, said fins extending transversely andlongitudinally beyond said flanges, said fins having a first set ofaligned openings, and having a second set of aligned openings spacedtransversely of said heat exchanger from said first set; a plurality ofother fins interspersed with said first mentioned fins and aligned withand parallel to the latter, there being a plurality of said firstmentioned fins between said flanges and the ones of said other finsclosest to said flanges, and between adjacent ones of said other fins,alternate ones of said other fins having openings aligned with saidopenings of said second set, and extending between adjacent openings ofsaid first set, the other ones of said other fins having openingsaligned with said openings of said first set, and extending betweenadjacent openings of said second set; and hollow means extending betweensaid fins, having aligned inner edges extending around all of saidopenings, and forming spacers between said fins, and seals around all ofsaid openings.

2. A heat exchanger as claimed in claim 1 in which said hollow means aregaskets.

3. A heat exchanger as claimed in claim 1 in which one of said flangeshas a fluid inlet connecting with said openings of one of said sets, andin which the other one of said flanges has a fluid outlet connectingwith said openings of the other one of said sets.

4. A heat exchanger as claimed in claim 3 in which said hollow means aregaskets.

5. A heat exchanger comprising a plurality of aligned,

parallel, spaced-apart fins; flanges extending transverse said heatexchanger opposite the end ones of said fins, said fins extendingtransversely and longitudinally beyond said flanges, said fins having afirst set of aligned openings, and having a second set of alignedopenings spaced transversely of said heat exchanger from said first set;a single fin between and spaced from adjacent ones of said fins, therebeing a plurality of said first mentioned fins between one of saidflanges and said single fin, said single fin having an opening alignedwith said openings of said second set, and extending between adjacentopenings of said first set, a second single fin between and spaced fromother adjacent ones of said first mentioned fins, there being aplurality of said first mentioned fins between said single fins, saidsecond fin having openings aligned with said openings of said first set,and extending between adjacent openings of said second set; and hollowmeans extending between said fins, having aligned inner edges extendingaround all of said openings, and forming spacers between said fins, andseals around all of said openings.

6. A heatexchanger as claimed in claim 5 in which said hollow means aregaskets.

7. A heat exchanger as claimed in claim 5 in which a third single fin isprovided between and spaced from said second fin, there being aplurality of said first mentioned fins between said second and thirdfins, said third fin having an openingali-gned with said openings ofsaid second set, and extending between adjacent openings of said firstset; and in which there are hollow means between said third fin andadjacent ones of said first mentioned fins, having an inner edgeextending around said last mentioned openings, and forming spacersbetween said third fin and said last mentioned adjacent ones of saidfirst mentioned fins, and seals around said last mentioned openings.

8. A heat exchanger as claimed in claim 7 in which said last mentionedhollow means are gaskets.

9. A heat exchanger as claimed in claim 7 in which one of said flangeshas a fluid inlet connecting with said openings of one of said sets, andin which the other one of said flanges has a fluid outlet connectingwith said openings of the other one of said sets.

10. A heat exchanger as claimed in claim 9 in which said last mentionedhollow means are gaskets.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,736,906 11/1929 Flintermann165-166 1,935,332 11/1933 Quarnstrom 165179 X 3,228,465 1/1966 Vadot165-167 3,315,739 4/1967 Kearney 165-165 I MEYER PERLIN, PrimaryExaminer.

T. W. STREULE, Assistant Examiner.

